Sede Vacante hailing from both Finland and Greece has returned with their sophomore album “Conium’’ a record that bristles with vitality and is a massive progression from their debut.
Laced with high amounts of energy and enthusiasm ‘Conium’ is an album that is a heavier offering in the symphonic gothic metal genre. Their music is demanding whilst also incredibly melodic and memorable, it contains various surprises and some effortless excellent seamless time changes that challenge the listener yet never sacrifice the song.
New vocalist Stephanie Mazo is simply superb, her diction and voice are both beautiful and commanding. Her vocal phrasing elevates their cover of the Stone’s “Paint it Black” into something truly special. You are expecting a vibrant up-tempo homage and yet you receive a brooding slowed-down song that drips in emotion and melancholy. It is also on the slower closer ‘’Tattoo” that the band really shines allowing their music to envelop you with its slower intensity.
‘Dead New World’’ is their signature with commanding choruses and excellent vocals.
The keyboards are matched by some excellent riffing, it is distinctly eastern European in flavor that is unashamedly emotional as it is heavy. ‘Conium’ is another highlight along with ‘’Raindrops” two tracks that will get the head moving and its choruses lingering in your head.
‘Conium’ is an album that grows in reputation with every listen. This is finely crafted Gothic symphonic metal with exceptional musicianship.
Sede Vacante has truly delivered a record worthy of your attention with its subtleties, touches of romance, and yet some cracking heavy up-tempo passages. Recommended!
Sede Vacante: Facebook
Release Year: 2022
Label: Scarlet Records
Category: Album
Country: Finland/Greece
Reviewed by Sparky
